Host Mother & Best Friend

This is Saya, the woman I considered "mother" in Niger, West Africa. Although I did not live with Saya and her family, she treated me as part of her family. This picture was taken in October 2006 during the fete de Ramadan. Saya is a beautiful woman from the Bogoberri region of Niger and her scarification can be found all over the Tibiri and Maradi regions. On this mother's day, in 2010, I would like to recognize her and say "ay ga saabu, Sayatou!"